Model A Shocks
- Thread starter MODELTR
- Start date
Kevin in NJ
Well-known member
Is the shaft loose? Loose shafts need significant machining.
Does it turn and have a tight shaft?
If you put it in a vice with a shaft can you make it turn and feel like there is fluid in it?
Ultimately it comes down to taking them apart and seeing how tight they are once they are cleaned. If the shaft is loose then it can not work well.
There are some shops that will machine shafts and fix bushings. You have to worry about vains fitting tight with no pitting in the chambers.
I look at the outside condition of the shock to guess if it might be ok. Many the shaft is obviously off center and stuck.
Getting them apart is a whole other discussion.
Properly working original shocks (or the Stipe repro) make a huge difference in the drivablity.
Does it turn and have a tight shaft?
If you put it in a vice with a shaft can you make it turn and feel like there is fluid in it?
Ultimately it comes down to taking them apart and seeing how tight they are once they are cleaned. If the shaft is loose then it can not work well.
There are some shops that will machine shafts and fix bushings. You have to worry about vains fitting tight with no pitting in the chambers.
I look at the outside condition of the shock to guess if it might be ok. Many the shaft is obviously off center and stuck.
Getting them apart is a whole other discussion.
Properly working original shocks (or the Stipe repro) make a huge difference in the drivablity.
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
Jim Parker Toronto
Well-known member
There was a very good seminar at Hershey this year by one of the main clubs, and they used a video from the California club, (I think). Maybe someone here will give you information on it. It was a great video, very informative, and well presented!
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
Bill in Al
Senior Member
If there's no rust in the old fluid,just pour out the old fluid and try a 60-40% mixture of shock fluid to STP and try it. Mine have worked for a couple of thousand miles and still going. Cheaper than a rebuild and worth a try.
mot
Registered User
i have a quick way of determining if i am going to buy a shock
there is no one way that can guarantee that the shock will be useable
always look at the gap between the cover and the shaft
if it is worn and theres a gap
PASS as quick as you can
if the shaft wobbles PASS
if there is a lot of rust in the cover ,that also may be a PASS
but lets face it when you are at a swap meet ,how many sellers are going to let you take the fill plug out? most likely they have already pulled it ,didnt like what they saw and are trying to unload it
but i have taken apart some that were rusty and they were good
when you get it open (good luck)
look at the wear on the shaft
it should be smooth,if its pitted or scored ,it can be used as an anchor
BUT if you are talented,you can turn the shaft and sleeve it and then it may be useable
the inner surfaces should be smooth and free of pits
and of course the adjusting valve must be able to work
these are the major criteria I look for in finding a good shock
here are a few bad shafts,one good shaft
the clean and smooth inner surfaces and the area where to look for a worn shaft indicated by a pencil point
tom
tom
there is no one way that can guarantee that the shock will be useable
always look at the gap between the cover and the shaft
if it is worn and theres a gap
PASS as quick as you can
if the shaft wobbles PASS
if there is a lot of rust in the cover ,that also may be a PASS
but lets face it when you are at a swap meet ,how many sellers are going to let you take the fill plug out? most likely they have already pulled it ,didnt like what they saw and are trying to unload it
but i have taken apart some that were rusty and they were good
when you get it open (good luck)
look at the wear on the shaft
it should be smooth,if its pitted or scored ,it can be used as an anchor
BUT if you are talented,you can turn the shaft and sleeve it and then it may be useable
the inner surfaces should be smooth and free of pits
and of course the adjusting valve must be able to work
these are the major criteria I look for in finding a good shock
here are a few bad shafts,one good shaft
the clean and smooth inner surfaces and the area where to look for a worn shaft indicated by a pencil point
tom
tom
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Bill Stipe
Senior Member
It is hard to find nice clean rebuildable shocks. I decided to build shocks from the ground up after looking for good ones and trying 2 sets of new ones from the catalog suppliers and having them fail on me after only 1500 miles.
I found there lot of work to Mfg and no one really beleives that or sees the cost but I can tell you there more work to build one shock then there is in a cast iron cylinder head.
I found there lot of work to Mfg and no one really beleives that or sees the cost but I can tell you there more work to build one shock then there is in a cast iron cylinder head.
Attachments
Bill Stipe
Senior Member
Thank you for the kind words.